Israel 2009 day 6

View of Dead Sea from our Room

Moriah Classic Dead Sea Spa & Hotel Built in 1973 a 4 star hotel that lives up to its name…Classic! It is right on the Dead Sea in the resort townof Zohar. We had an incredibly long day the day before and our time was limited at this wonderful place! Mom and I opted to enjoy the Spa's Dead Sea Pool which has water piped in from outside and gives the exact same floating sensation but at a significantly warmer temperature! It was wonderful and interesting. I expected the high salt content to dry my skin out but because of the equally high mineral content it actually just buffs off dead skin cells and leaves you with the most silky, fresh feeling! It is a bit tricky at first to get used to standing or floating and it is very important that you not splash as it could be quite serious if you get it in your eyes. There are plenty of personnel around because evidently you can literally drown on only a 1/4 cup of Dead Sea water! I didn't get to try the fangotherapy, where they apply heated sea mud to various parts of the body. The treatment enhances local circulation and relieves pain. It is said to Used mainly for arthritis and rehabilitation.

DAY 6 Ein Gedi, Jerusalem, Bethlehem (Wed. Mar. 18)

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pain. It is said to Used mainly for arthritis and rehabilitation.

Springs of Ein Gedi - an oasis dating back to 3000 B.C.

Even though there are many springs around the Dead Sea, most of them have a high salt content. En Gedi is one of only two fresh water springs located on the western shore of the Dead Sea and, because of the greater availability of land for agriculture at En Gedi, it is the best spring by which to settle.

Josephus praised En Gedi for its palm trees and balsam, and the writer of Ecclesiasticus spoke of wisdom that was exalted like a palm tree in En Gedi (24:14). One day, the prophet Ezekiel predicted, fishermen would line the shores of the Dead Sea by En Gedi (47:10).

Ein Gedi is perhaps most widely recognized as the place where a young David took refuge from the wrath of an aging King Saul around 1000 B.C. David "dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi" (1 Sam. 23:29). Evidence exists that young ibex have always lived near the springs of En Gedi. One time when David was fleeing from King Saul, the pursuers searched the "Crags of the Ibex" in the vicinity of En Gedi. In a cave near here, David cut off the corner of Saul's robe (1 Sam 24).

Everywhere Harry stopped to teach... Satan tried his best to distract… a Muslim call to prayer while in Nain… a tabby cat wandering through our laps at the synagogue in Capernaum and… Here at Ein Gedi he pulled out the big guns… CATERPILLAR! It fired up about the time he started teaching and continued until just after he stopped… I kid you not… it got to be a joke to see what the distraction would be next but he never waivered… At Ein Gedi we stood under the Acacia Tree and talked about the Divine Providence that brought King Saul into the one cave among hundreds, perhaps thousands that David was hiding in. He moved on to talk about Ezekiel 47.

Ezekiel 47: 1-12 "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below

Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Agency emblem is the wild goat in front of a Acacia Tree.

Ein Gedi means "the spring of the young goat" and is the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea. The springs here have allowed nearly continuous

inhabitation of the site since the Chalcolithic period. The area was allotted to the tribe of Judah, and

was famous in the time of Solomon (Josh 15:62).


Ezekiel 47: 1-12 "Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Revelation 22:1-3 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Harry taught about how both the old and new testament point toward the symbolism of the river that flows from the LORD's sanctuary... which is exactly the place that HE resides at any given time… The fresh waters will flow out of HIM and through us to bring life to even the dead sea for the GLORY of HIS HOLY NAME! We, the universal church are the spring of Ein Gedi! In the days of Ezekiel it was Ein Gedi… in the days of John it was Jesus, the LAMB who was slain… in the days of the Church, it is Christ through us bringing life to the nations!

We finished our time with two very appropriate and moving hymns, "Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary" & "I have a river of life flowing out of me"

Road to Jerusalem:

Mt. of Temptation: Matt 4:1 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." This harsh, bare mountain stands above the city of Jericho and the valley of the Jordan. The panoramic view from its summit sweeps from the green oasis of Jericho to the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, and to the vast mountainous region surrounding it. The Mount of Temptation is locally known as Jabel Quruntul, from "Quaranta" - forty, the number of days in the Gospel account of Christ's fast, when he withdrew into the wilderness after being baptized by John the Baptist in the nearby Jordan.

Valley of the shadow of death: This is the nickname for the stretch of road between Jericho and Jerusalem. It can be walked in one day.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod

and thy staff they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

The twenty-third Psalm was probably one of David’s early Psalms, written while he was still a shepherd boy watching the family flocks on the Judean highlands. Living in the environs of Bethlehem, the imagery of the Psalm suggests that he was pasturing the sheep to the east, near


Bethlehem, the imagery of the Psalm suggests that he was pasturing the sheep to the east, near the deep wadis that go into the Great Rift valley of the Dead Sea. There the steep cliffs and deep crevices could aptly be named valleys of the shadow of death.

Later, when fleeing from Saul it was in caves in these same deep valleys he had known so well as a shepherd that he took refuge. The combination of cool waters flowing through the sheer cliffs of En Gedi formed a natural hideout for David and his refugee band. Once again, sought by the skilled soldiers of King Saul’s army, he walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

Victorious at last, with the crown on his head and all twelve tribes pledging their allegiance, it would seem that such "valley" experiences would be behind him. But such was not to be the case…

The Good Samaritan: The old road from Jerusalem to Jericho has changed little since the first century. Accessible by foot or horseback, it is approximately eighteen to twenty miles distance. It is a rocky and rugged route and one can expect to make about three miles an hour. The decent is very rapid, nearly four thousand feet from the Mount of Olives to the Jordan valley below. There are many ascents as well along the way increasing the sharpness of the slope and additional hazards to the journey down the mountain. About halfway there is a huge boulder affording a very convenient place for robbers to lie in wait. There are also many other places to hide along this lonely road earning its reputation as the "Way of Blood." Jesus knew this and somewhere on this narrow trail we are given the setting for the story of the Good Samaritan.

Nehemiah 12:43 "And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalemwas heard far away."

Psalm 122:1-2 "I was glad when they said unto me: 'Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem"

Psalm 122:6 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! "

Psalm 125:2 "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. "

Psalm 135:21 "Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord! "

Isaiah 3:8 "For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence."

Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn."

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"

Revelation 21:10 "And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed


Revelation 21:10 "And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God"

Best Moment of the Trip!We came to a security check point outside Jerusalem and then we passed through intoArazim Tunnel under Har Hatzofim / Mt. Scopus (Hebrew/Greek for "Lookout")we emerged on the other side into the incredible brightness and the following song playing as we laid eyes on Jerusalem for the very first time! The Temple Mound and the Mt of Olives was to my was to my left and Mt Scopus and the Hebrew University were to my right!

"The Holy City, Jerusalem" sung by John StarnesLast night I lay a-sleeping, There came a dream so fair, I stood in old Jerusalem, Beside the Temple there. I heard the children singing, And ever as they sang, Methought the voice of angels From Heav'n in answer rang.Methought the voice of angels From Heav'n in answer rang.

chorus:Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Lift up your gates and sing;Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to your King.

And then methought my dream was changed, The streets no longer rang.But with a glad Hosanna The little children sang. The sun grew dark with mystery,The morn was cold and chill, But the shadow of a cross arose Upon a lonely hill.But the shadow of a cross arose Upon a lonely hill.

chorusJerusalem, Jerusalem, Hark, how the angels singHosanna through the ages, Hosanna to your King.

Then once again the scene was changed, New earth there seemed to be. I saw the Holy CityBeside the timeless sea. The light of God was on its streets, The gates were open wide;And all who would might enter And no one was denied. No need of moon nor stars by nightOr sun to shine by day, It was the new Jerusalem That would not pass away.It was the new Jerusalem That would not pass away

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Sing for the night is o'er; Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna for ever more.Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna for ever more.

Harry's thoughts from Mt Scopus


1 Kings 11:36 "And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there."

2 Kings 21:4 "And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name."

2 Kings 21:7 "And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever."

In the Hebrew alphabet the letter Shin is the first letter in the name of God, Shaddai. Shaddai, meaning "the keeper of the doors of Israel", is inscribed on the mezuzot on all the doorways of the Jews. The "Mezuzah" is a small scroll that is attached to the doorpost of a Jewish home with small cover. The exhibition of the Hebrew letter Shin is prominently displayed on the cover. The sanctity of the home is symbolized by this small scroll and covering. It is a solemn reminder to all who enter and leave the home that the house is Jewish and those who live there are devoted to the ideals of the scripture passages appearing on the scroll. Interestingly each home, so configured with the mezuzot, could be said to have the name of God on it.

The map below identifies the geography of ancient Jerusalem during times of the scriptures referenced above. Three valleys surround Jerusalem, the Kidron Valley on the east, The Refaiim Valley, just east of the City of Zion, and the Hinom Valley south and west of the City of Zion. Together with the Temple Mount and Jerusalem in their midst, they form the Hebrew letter Shin (high-lighted in red). Could it be that God constructed the geography of the region to fulfill the verses above and actually, and physically, put His name on Jerusalem? Is the "fingerprint of God on Jerusalem for all to see? Maybe. Just a coincidence, perhaps, perhaps not, but it is something to meditate on.


Psalm 125:1-5 The Lord Surrounds His People (A Song of Ascents)1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous,lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers!Peace be upon Israel!

• C.S. Lewis believed that we were made for “joy.” He provides good things for humans to do all day long, like “sleeping, eating, drinking, making love, playing, praying, working.”

• But, he also believed that to focus on these “second things” and neglect “first things” such

C.S. Lewis: "The blessing and curse of "second things"


• But, he also believed that to focus on these “second things” and neglect “first things” such as worshiping and loving God was to be “too easily pleased."

• Placing any of these "good" second things before a "first thing" is as "sinful" as doing something God has forbidden.

• Coming to Jerusalem and admiring what God has done and is doing is fine but we must not place this above our adoration for HIM. It is only a "second thing"

Jerusalem Cross: A large Greek Cross with four smaller crosses are said to symbolize the four directions in which the Word of Christ spread from Jerusalem.

Lunch at The Ramat Rachel Hotel

Travel to Bethlehem: into Palastinian Territory

Genesis 35:18-21 "And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni "son of my sorrow"; but his father called him Benjamin "son of the right hand". So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder."

Rachel's TombBethlehem Manger Square Church of the NativityThe Door of Humility, a small rectangular entrance to the church, wascreated in Ottoman times to prevent carts being driven in by looters,and to force even the most important visitor to dismount from his horse as he entered the holy place. The doorway was reduced from an earlier Crusader doorway, the pointed arch of which can still be seen above the current door. The outline of the Justinian square entrance can also be seen above the door. Manger Square, a large paved courtyard in front of the Church, is the site where large crowds will gather on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols in anticipation of


site where large crowds will gather on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas carols in anticipation of the midnight services

This building is the oldest standing church in the Holy Land. Originally built by Constantine's mother in the 4th century, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the current structure in the 530s. It was apparently spared destruction from the Persians in 614 A.D. because the invaders saw the depictions of the Magi on the walls. Local Muslim-Christian friendship is believed to be why the church was not destroyed during al-Hakim's rule in 1009.

Early tradition places the birth of Jesus in a cave. Scripture doesn't mention the existence of a cave, and skeptics note that many biblical events were commemorated in caves (more convenient for pilgrims to be sheltered from sun and rain?). But it is also true that many houses in the area are built in front of caves. A cave could serve a household well by providing shelter for the animals or a place of storage.

The Grotto of the Nativity, a rectangular cavern beneath the church, is the Church of the Nativity's focal point. Entered by a flight of steps by the church altar, this is the cave that has been honored as the site of Christ's birth since at least the 2nd century. A silver star in the floor marks the very spot where Christ is believed to have been born. The star's Latin inscription reads, "Here of the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born — 1717." The floor is paved in marble, and 15 lamps hang above the star (six belong to the Greeks, five to the Armenians and four to the Latins).

According to tradition, Mary gave birth to Jesus at the place of where the star is located on the floor. The tradition that the birth was in a cave is one of the oldest Christian traditions. Justin Martyr mentions it in the mid-2nd century, as does the Protoevangelium of James. Origen notes that the cave of Jesus' birth was pointed out in his day and no doubt this was the same place where the Byzantine church was erected. (Aspestos on walls donated by France protect)


We stood together in the grotto and praised our risen Savior as we remembered his humble birth by singing hymns "Away in the manger" and "O, come let u adore him"

Numerous Chapels are found in the compound as well, including the Chapel of Saint Joseph, commemorating the angel's appearance to Joseph, commanding him to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13); the Chapel of the Innocents, commemorating the children killed by Herod (Matthew 2:16-18); and the Chapel of Saint Jerome, where traditionally he translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate). (Skull underfoot was to remind him to finish his work…)

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Herodium: Constructed over a small pre-existing hill, the Herodium was a fortress for Herod to quickly flee to from Jerusalem and a luxurious palace for his enjoyment. Similar to Masada it contained his "Summer palace", elaborate bath houses and emergency supplies. He chose to be buried here and the mountain is the shape of a tumulus. Ironic that it looks down on the birthplace of the Savior and KING of whom Herod was so afraid1

Shepherds' Field: we took this picture looking back to the east after leaving the Church of the Nativity. The copse of trees on far hill represents the place where it is believed that the shepherds saw the heavenly hosts.

Bible Times Tour and Dinner at Ein Karem the town in which John the Baptist was born.Hannah Thrasher of Bible Times Center, center, speaks to tourists in front of a replica of a tomb from biblical times. The links between Passover and Easter are one example of the parallels


from biblical times. The links between Passover and Easter are one example of the parallels between Jewish and Christian traditions. Through improving our understanding of the culture, verbal context, original languages, historical and political context, and archeology of the Bible Times we can bring scripture to life. This is very unique in that you are learning the times of the second temple period from a Jewish center not through Christian eyes, but the true Jewish perspective.

Thinking about the Last Supper...

This was probably the first time that Jesus

would have been 'head' or 'master' or leaderof the prayers at the meal. It was normal

for people to be seated around the table in

order of importance, with the most important

people at one end of the horseshoe shape and the least important at the other end of the horse

shoe. This might explain why it was so important to the disciples figure out who was most

important…those two people were seated the closest to Jesus.

The Bible doesn't say where every disciple sat, but some of the positions have been gathered from the Bible. Below is a diagram of how the table and positions of the people we know were

seated / lying.

We know that John sat next to Jesus because In John's gospel,

it says that Jesus rested his head on John's chest. We don't

know why he was accorded this honor except perhaps because he had organised the meal and was very close to Jesus.

Judas was seated in one of the most important seats,

the one on the left of the 'master'. As Jesus was the master

of meal and Judas was seated in the most important

guest place, Judas would have received the first sop from the same bowl as Jesus. The Bible also says that

John and Jesus talked about Judas being the traitor at one

point and that no other disciples could hear them. This

would be explained in John's and Jesus' heads could

get very close (Matt 26: 25).

We believe that Peter sat at the other end of the table. This was also the seat of the person

who would do the job of a servant if there were none present . Perhaps he was expecting Jesus


who would do the job of a servant if there were none present . Perhaps he was expecting Jesus

to move him to a better seat! No one mentions that their feet had already been washed when Jesus begins to do so and maybe that explains why Peter is so embarrassed when Jesus prepares

to do what he was supposed to have already taken care of. Having a towel was also the sign of a servant. After Jesus had washed their feet, he explained why he did so. It was a sign that even the most important people must be like a servant, willing to do anything for other people.

Also that the lowest people would become the most important people in God's eyes. It has also been seen as a sign that Jesus was preparing the disciples' feet ready to go and tell all the world about him.

Jesus raised the bread and prayed over it. He then gave the bread a new and special meaning,

saying that it would represent his body, that like the bread would be broken when he died. He

then took up the fourth and final cup that ended the meal and also gave this part of the meal a new and special meaning. Jesus said that the wine represented his blood that would be split when he died, so that people could be forgiven of their sins against God. He also said that the symbols were not only to remind his followers that he had to die, but that he would also come back to earth one day to judge everyone and make the world perfect.

After the meal was over, Jesus and the disciples would have said the final prayers of the meals

which are Psalms 115 - 118 & 136 and sung a final hymn.

Back to our Jerusalem Hotel for the night…


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Israel 2009 day 6